Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: January 26, 2026, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: The Congolese army (FARDC) conducted drone strikes on M23 along the RP1030 in Walikale district in North Kivu. M23-aligned militia fighters clashed with the FARDC and allied forces in Fizi district in South Kivu. Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 in Rutshuru district in North Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas    

Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Kivu Morning Post reported that fighting broke out when Wazalendo fighters attacked an M23 patrol near Kinyankuku village in the Bukombo group in Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru on January 26.[i] CTP is unable to verify the precise location of Kinyankuku. The Bukombo group is in southwestern Bwito, roughly 10 miles east of Kitchanga town on the RP1030. M23 clashes regularly with Wazalendo fighters in Bukombo, where the group conducts frequent counterinsurgency operations against anti-M23 militia fighters. M23 had last clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several localities in Bukombo in mid-January.[ii]

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia  

Nothing significant to report.  

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

M23-aligned militia fighters clashed with the Congolese army (FARDC) and allied forces in Fizi district in South Kivu. M23-aligned Twirwaneho fighters reportedly clashed with the FARDC and allied forces in Rugezi village, about 20 miles south of Minembwe town in the Lulenge sector, and in the Mutambala sector in the mountains west of Baraka town on the RN5 on January 23 and 26.[iii] The Mutambala sector roughly encompasses the area between Baraka on the RN5 and the intersection of the RP527 and RN5 roads near Fizi town. Twirwaneho accused pro-Congolese government forces of attacking its positions in Rugezi and conducting drone strikes in unspecified areas and the Burundian army of deploying additional troops to the Mutambala sector in a statement on January 24.[iv] Pro-M23 sources reported that the FARDC and allied forces launched attacks to recapture Point Zéro—north of Mutambala, about 16 miles east of Minembwe on a local road—between January 23 and 26 but failed to retake the area.[v] Twirwaneho had reportedly captured Point Zéro on January 16.[vi]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani  

The FARDC conducted drone strikes on M23 along the RP1030 in Walikale district in North Kivu. An FARDC attack drone reportedly targeted M23 positions in Mpeti and Minjenje villages on the RP1030 in the Kisimba group in Walikale on January 24.[vii] Mpeti is M23’s forward position on the RP1030 and a key supply and logistic point about 12 miles east of Pinga town. Minjenje is also an important logistic hub for M23 in Kisimba. The Kisimba group is located in a remote area in Walikale about six miles north of Kalembe and 10 miles east of Pinga. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that the FARDC repelled an M23 attack in a remote village that lies on a forested route between the northern part of Kisimba and Pinga town, pushing the rebels back toward Mpeti, on January 23.[viii]

The FARDC has conducted several drone strikes on M23 positions near the border between Masisi, Rutshuru, and Walikale districts since last week. The FARDC bombed an M23 camp in Buleusa village in the Ikobo group in Walikale, roughly 11 miles northeast of Pinga on a forested route, on January 23.[ix] An FARDC attack drone reportedly bombed an M23 position near Kikuku village in the Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru on January 23.[x] Kikuku is east of Kisimba near the border with Walikale, about six miles north of Nyanzale on the RP1030. An FARDC attack drone had conducted an airstrike on M23 near Buleusa in Rusamambu village on the border between the Kisimba and Ikobo groups on January 19.[xi]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu  

Nothing significant to report.  

Major Political Developments  

Nothing significant to report.